It is my 5th Wedding Anniversary today so I am using images from the past to illuminate my uses of light. Sunrises, back light, moonlight, clouds, soft morning, harsh afternoon etc., all can forms be your best friend or worst enemy. Fleeting and often frustrating light will make or break each photograph. Natural light is my favorite dance partner even though it has often stepped on my toes. I never use a flash outdoors, for me it would be cheating on a dear friend.

The image above shows my first light transformation event in the Forest. In the first shot I realized there was a moment of beauty about to happen. I ran up the trail and zoomed in to catch the light as it fell through the canopy. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship with natural light. Once on an early hike the sun was slowly rising over North Mountain as it crested it illuminated the rain soaked old autumn leaves on the the Forest floor. This created the appearance of burning embers. I sprinted along the trail to put out a fire that did not exist. The open springs in Hot Springs National Park add glittering mineral water to the sky. The effect of the rise mist is beautiful often sparkling rainbow light and humidity.

I have picked some favorites for a gallery slideshow I hope they will help you begin your own dance with natural light. If you have any questions about Nature’s illumination please post on the specific photo or in the blog comment section. In the beginning I had only my trusty Sony Cybershot the gallery contain both point and shoot with DSLR shots. Light made many of my point and shoot images appear to be taken with a more expensive camera. For this kindness I am grateful…